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Angel City #1
Nobody Move
Winner: Best First Novel, CWC Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing
"Elliott has a real feel for comedic noir in the Elmore Leonard vein, and his debut novel screams cult classic"—Booklist
Eddie Vegas made a terrible mistake. Now he has to pay the price.
After a botched debt collection turned double murder, Eddie splits, desperate to avoid his employer, notorious L.A. crime boss Saul Benedict, and his men (and Eddie's ex-partners), Floyd and Sawyer, as well as the police. Soon he becomes entangled with the clever and beautiful Dakota, a Native American woman fresh in the City of Angels to find her missing friend--someone Eddie might know something about. Meanwhile in Texas, ex-assassin Rufus, seeking vengeance for his murdered brother, takes up his beloved daggers one final time and begins the long drive to L.A. When the bodies begin to mount, Detective Alison Lockley's hunt for the killer becomes increasingly urgent.
As paths cross, confusion ensues, and no one's entirely sure who's after who. But one thing is clear: They're not all getting out of this alive.
Praise
"A multifaceted series opener by a promising new voice in hard-boiled crime fiction. Fans of Elmore Leonard and Jim Thompson will find much to savor."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A new spin on the crime thriller genre."
—San Francisco Book Review
"Sharp, stylish and well-written. It makes reading fun again."
—US Review of Books
"Impossible to put down."
—Kevin Wilson, NYT bestselling author of Nothing to See Here
"Fast-paced and chock full of interesting characters and chillingly delicious evil."
—IndieReader
"First class neo-noir."
—Murder, Mayhem & More
"Not a single dull moment."
—Online Book Club
“If you love LA crime novels that don’t hold back, this one’s for you.”
—Wyborn Senna, author of Porter’s Fortune
"Like Tarantino on the page . . . rushes at you from page one."
—Dietrich Kalteis, author of Cradle of the Deep
"Elliott has a gift for upholding momentum that never slows."
—The Prairies Book Review
"Elliott has a real feel for comedic noir in the Elmore Leonard vein, and his debut novel screams cult classic"—Booklist
Eddie Vegas made a terrible mistake. Now he has to pay the price.
After a botched debt collection turned double murder, Eddie splits, desperate to avoid his employer, notorious L.A. crime boss Saul Benedict, and his men (and Eddie's ex-partners), Floyd and Sawyer, as well as the police. Soon he becomes entangled with the clever and beautiful Dakota, a Native American woman fresh in the City of Angels to find her missing friend--someone Eddie might know something about. Meanwhile in Texas, ex-assassin Rufus, seeking vengeance for his murdered brother, takes up his beloved daggers one final time and begins the long drive to L.A. When the bodies begin to mount, Detective Alison Lockley's hunt for the killer becomes increasingly urgent.
As paths cross, confusion ensues, and no one's entirely sure who's after who. But one thing is clear: They're not all getting out of this alive.
Praise
"A multifaceted series opener by a promising new voice in hard-boiled crime fiction. Fans of Elmore Leonard and Jim Thompson will find much to savor."
—Kirkus Reviews
"A new spin on the crime thriller genre."
—San Francisco Book Review
"Sharp, stylish and well-written. It makes reading fun again."
—US Review of Books
"Impossible to put down."
—Kevin Wilson, NYT bestselling author of Nothing to See Here
"Fast-paced and chock full of interesting characters and chillingly delicious evil."
—IndieReader
"First class neo-noir."
—Murder, Mayhem & More
"Not a single dull moment."
—Online Book Club
“If you love LA crime novels that don’t hold back, this one’s for you.”
—Wyborn Senna, author of Porter’s Fortune
"Like Tarantino on the page . . . rushes at you from page one."
—Dietrich Kalteis, author of Cradle of the Deep
"Elliott has a gift for upholding momentum that never slows."
—The Prairies Book Review
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2019
About the author
Philip Elliott
6 books68 followersTwice-optioned screenwriter and award-winning novelist Philip Elliott is on a mission to bring noir back. He writes neo-noir rooted in character and enjoys blending these sensibilities into other genres, particularly drama, thriller and horror. His debut novel, Nobody Move, won Best First Novel in the Arthur Ellis Awards, and follow-up Porno Valley is a Shamus Awards finalist. As a teenager stoked by the fires of rebellion, Philip played drums in bad punk bands. Based in Vancouver, BC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 1, 2020
If you can't watch Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill or even the Italian Job or a spaghetti western or two enough times, then this is crime fiction novel for you. With nods to all the great pulp movies of the last few decades, Nobody Move is a fast-moving, rocking thriller set among the neon lights of Los Angeles. It's filled with goofball hoods, hitmen, losers on the run, strip club princesses, cowboys quoting biblical passages and antsy for vengeance, bags of loot, car chases through the badlands of concrete, gun battles, knife battles, hopeless love, and, of course, the getaway driver who thrills to blast Pantera at high velocity volume as he corners and tears out. If you are looking for Pooh, Eyeore, and Piglet, you opened the wrong door.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
July 4, 2019
Nobody Move is a fast-paced crime thriller by 'Philip Elliott'. The novel is inspired by Quentin Tarantino's movies. Since I enjoy action and crime thrillers I totally loved this book and it was hard to put it down.
The main place of action was the city of Los Angeles. The book has everything in it and filled with Drug Dealers, Bible quoting Cowboy killer, Merciless gangsters, Cops, Gays, Transgenders, Strippers etc. The action part was very well written. Each character is an important part of the story. There was no boring part in it and each page keep on surprising me with twist and turns.
The story starts with a simple debt collection which goes wrong and ends up in a murder of 2 people. This starts a chain of events and cops get involved in finding the murderers. A dangerous assassin enters the city for vengeance. Los Angeles became a playground for these killers. But I am happy with the ending, it totally satisfied me.
Thank you Book-sirens and the publisher for providing an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main place of action was the city of Los Angeles. The book has everything in it and filled with Drug Dealers, Bible quoting Cowboy killer, Merciless gangsters, Cops, Gays, Transgenders, Strippers etc. The action part was very well written. Each character is an important part of the story. There was no boring part in it and each page keep on surprising me with twist and turns.
The story starts with a simple debt collection which goes wrong and ends up in a murder of 2 people. This starts a chain of events and cops get involved in finding the murderers. A dangerous assassin enters the city for vengeance. Los Angeles became a playground for these killers. But I am happy with the ending, it totally satisfied me.
Thank you Book-sirens and the publisher for providing an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2019
Synopsis
When Eddie Vegas is sent to shake down a man who owes a lot of money to his employer, he makes a fatal error and ends up accidentally killing the guy. Since Eddie’s boss now holds him personally responsible for repaying the $50,000, he takes off. Now, not only is Eddie on the run from his former boss and partners in crime, but the man he killed had allies that are out for blood. His blood.
My Thoughts
Nobody Move is a rocket-fast paced black-comedy thriller that I finished in just an evening. It’s one of the books where I kept looking at the clock and saying “All right, I’ll read one more chapter”, and before I knew it, it was past my bedtime and I’d finished the book.
This novel reads like a noir thriller, particularly in the beginning. Philip Elliott frequently references the movies that clearly inspired his style, like Pulp Fiction and the Godfather. That said, I did get the feeling he was referencing movies a little too often. It was humorous, however, that the bad guys were getting ideas for how to handle situations based on the movies they’d seen. The book itself, including its plot and the way that Eddie keeps making foolish mistakes, reminds me a lot of the movie Fargo. For example, some of the shadier characters tell little colourful anecdotes throughout the novel. These little stories often have a hidden (or blatantly obvious) relevance to what’s going on and how the rest of the story will unfold.
Most of the characters are seedy and unlikeable, but Eddie Vegas is somewhat of an exception. He’s made horrible mistakes and done horrible things in his career, but he’s got a quality about him that makes him seem redeemable. Despite the sardonic nature of this thriller, the author combats some stereotypes, making the thugs more three-dimensional and interesting. That said, there’s a female cop named Alison in the book, and her scenes are much more down to earth. I would have liked to have seen the humour from the other scenes bleed through into her chapters. All in all, Nobody Move is a great, fun read. The more deplorable characters eventually get what’s coming to them, and what more can you ask for in a good book?
I recommend Nobody Move to anyone looking for a quick, fast-paced read with a morally grey protagonist making questionable decisions, a hint of romance, and lots of bloodshed.
*Thank you to Into the Void for the arc to review*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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My 2019 Reading Challenge
When Eddie Vegas is sent to shake down a man who owes a lot of money to his employer, he makes a fatal error and ends up accidentally killing the guy. Since Eddie’s boss now holds him personally responsible for repaying the $50,000, he takes off. Now, not only is Eddie on the run from his former boss and partners in crime, but the man he killed had allies that are out for blood. His blood.
My Thoughts
Nobody Move is a rocket-fast paced black-comedy thriller that I finished in just an evening. It’s one of the books where I kept looking at the clock and saying “All right, I’ll read one more chapter”, and before I knew it, it was past my bedtime and I’d finished the book.
This novel reads like a noir thriller, particularly in the beginning. Philip Elliott frequently references the movies that clearly inspired his style, like Pulp Fiction and the Godfather. That said, I did get the feeling he was referencing movies a little too often. It was humorous, however, that the bad guys were getting ideas for how to handle situations based on the movies they’d seen. The book itself, including its plot and the way that Eddie keeps making foolish mistakes, reminds me a lot of the movie Fargo. For example, some of the shadier characters tell little colourful anecdotes throughout the novel. These little stories often have a hidden (or blatantly obvious) relevance to what’s going on and how the rest of the story will unfold.
Most of the characters are seedy and unlikeable, but Eddie Vegas is somewhat of an exception. He’s made horrible mistakes and done horrible things in his career, but he’s got a quality about him that makes him seem redeemable. Despite the sardonic nature of this thriller, the author combats some stereotypes, making the thugs more three-dimensional and interesting. That said, there’s a female cop named Alison in the book, and her scenes are much more down to earth. I would have liked to have seen the humour from the other scenes bleed through into her chapters. All in all, Nobody Move is a great, fun read. The more deplorable characters eventually get what’s coming to them, and what more can you ask for in a good book?
I recommend Nobody Move to anyone looking for a quick, fast-paced read with a morally grey protagonist making questionable decisions, a hint of romance, and lots of bloodshed.
*Thank you to Into the Void for the arc to review*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Instagram | Blog | Website | Twitter
My 2019 Reading Challenge
August 16, 2019
Eddie Vegas has erred, seriously so. A seemingly straight forward debt collection visit for gangster Saul Benedict has gone bad and there are now bodies on the floor. Vegas has been working for Saul for a while now but it’s not clear if he can survive this mistake. He decides to lay low and see how the land lies but it soon becomes clear that one way or another his actions have made him a marked man. Along the way, Vegas meets up with a stunning Native American woman named Dakota, who is looking for her estranged sister. But as the net closes in on Vegas it looks like a horrible coincidence has further complicated his already perilous position.
The action is full on and the plot is as twisty a Slinky. I liked bad boy Vegas, despite his proclivity for for doing bad things, and I wanted him to survive despite the odds being stacked against him. I cheered him on. The whole thing plays out like a Tarantino movie, it’s hugely enjoyable. I loved it!
The action is full on and the plot is as twisty a Slinky. I liked bad boy Vegas, despite his proclivity for for doing bad things, and I wanted him to survive despite the odds being stacked against him. I cheered him on. The whole thing plays out like a Tarantino movie, it’s hugely enjoyable. I loved it!
September 11, 2019
If you like detective novels, a decent mystery, lots of nasty crooks and killers, this book is for you! Just about everybody gets shot or stabbed or killed in this fast-paced novel (Just kidding - a few characters are left alive to reveal the twist!) A decent, well-written read. (I had to skim over a few sections, being squeamish in my old age, but lovers of this genre will have plenty of action-packed and gory scenes to revel in!) I give this a 3.7 out of 5.
October 20, 2019
Action filled and exciting.
It's a shame the author decided to put in so many derogatory thoughts.
All the hateful (women, LGBTQ & wildly racist) comments were really off-putting and completely unnecessary to the story.
This could have been really good had he decided to just leave all that crap out.
Thank you NetGalley and Into the Void for my DRC.
It's a shame the author decided to put in so many derogatory thoughts.
All the hateful (women, LGBTQ & wildly racist) comments were really off-putting and completely unnecessary to the story.
This could have been really good had he decided to just leave all that crap out.
Thank you NetGalley and Into the Void for my DRC.
August 19, 2019
Follow these crime capers in the first of a series set in L.A. There’s murders-a-plenty, crime, car chases and everything else in between as Elliott certainly creates a novel reminiscent of a Tarantino film. True, there are some references to this famed director, but I could easily see for myself the traits that Elliott has written within this plot.
Personally, I wasn’t too blown away by the plot and feel that the type of crime being described wasn’t too engaging. There’s a lot of underhand actions and the key characters of Eddie, Floyd and Sawyer felt like cliches of so many caricatures that have already been described in popular culture. Along the same lines, the revengeful nature of the plot was quite predictable yet, the fast pace of the narrative meant there was little time to feel bored.
The bodies naturally stack up on this novel and I enjoyed how several parties eventually converged into one meeting place. The finale “shoot out” was the most enjoyable part of the story to me and I could really picture it happening in my head. Like many of the scenes, it felt like I was reading something that could easily appear on the big screen. This reflects the quality of Elliott’s writing and how effortless it was to follow the story.
There is nothing too offensive in this story and, whilst there was a lot of murder, it wasn’t too gruesome. I found Eddie’s sense of his mortality quite an interesting character trait, although for the rest of the time I felt he was quite weak and predictable. He is easily swayed by the more dominant characters around him, thereby landing him in hot water all of the time. His relationship with Dakota is obvious and soppy; I could not fathom how the writer would create a future from it and believe that the ending was totally justified.
In conclusion, this was an average read for me: I enjoyed some elements of the plot but the outrageous, overblown, revengeful nature of the story were a bit far-fetched. Reading like something from a film, the characters were “safe”, with nothing too different to offer to the story. If you like Tarantino films then definitely don’t miss this one. Otherwise, for those of you seeking a fast-paced crime book and something a little different, then this may appeal.
With thanks to Into the Void magazine and Philip Elliott for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Personally, I wasn’t too blown away by the plot and feel that the type of crime being described wasn’t too engaging. There’s a lot of underhand actions and the key characters of Eddie, Floyd and Sawyer felt like cliches of so many caricatures that have already been described in popular culture. Along the same lines, the revengeful nature of the plot was quite predictable yet, the fast pace of the narrative meant there was little time to feel bored.
The bodies naturally stack up on this novel and I enjoyed how several parties eventually converged into one meeting place. The finale “shoot out” was the most enjoyable part of the story to me and I could really picture it happening in my head. Like many of the scenes, it felt like I was reading something that could easily appear on the big screen. This reflects the quality of Elliott’s writing and how effortless it was to follow the story.
There is nothing too offensive in this story and, whilst there was a lot of murder, it wasn’t too gruesome. I found Eddie’s sense of his mortality quite an interesting character trait, although for the rest of the time I felt he was quite weak and predictable. He is easily swayed by the more dominant characters around him, thereby landing him in hot water all of the time. His relationship with Dakota is obvious and soppy; I could not fathom how the writer would create a future from it and believe that the ending was totally justified.
In conclusion, this was an average read for me: I enjoyed some elements of the plot but the outrageous, overblown, revengeful nature of the story were a bit far-fetched. Reading like something from a film, the characters were “safe”, with nothing too different to offer to the story. If you like Tarantino films then definitely don’t miss this one. Otherwise, for those of you seeking a fast-paced crime book and something a little different, then this may appeal.
With thanks to Into the Void magazine and Philip Elliott for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2021
You won't want to put it down! Nobody Move charges ahead at a frenetic pace, pedal to the metal as bullets fly from page to page. Set in today's Los Angeles, Nobody Move reminds one of the best of Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino. Using broad, colorful strokes, Philip Elliott has penned a crime thriller which is both thoroughly contemporary, but also an homage to the great Los Angeles neo-noir tradition. Elliott's characters are vivid and complex, and his book is loaded with shocks and surprises.
-- DS Racer, author of The Purple Hotel
-- DS Racer, author of The Purple Hotel
April 21, 2019
It's only April but I already know what the best novel of 2019 is. Even better? This book is part of a series that are guaranteed to reel in everyone who dares to open its pages. Quentin Tarantino inspired? Yes--but there's more here. There's an essence, a brilliance, that Tarantino cannot even come close to. Philip Elliott is the future of the novel as he takes the novel form into new realms of existence. This is the novel of the 21st century.
May 21, 2019
This is a thrilling, highly-propulsive, frenzied crime thriller in the neo-noir tradition. There is much murder and mayhem with some darkly humours events and dialogue, reminiscent of the best Quentin Tarantino movies.
The story is set in contemporary Los Angeles and begins with a flawed debt collection for a brutal gangster by several of his thugs. Things begin to go seriously wrong for Eddie on this botched mission. He finds himself on the run from law officers, hitmen, members of his own gang, and a deadly Bible quoting Texan with vengeance in mind. He falls for a beautiful Indigenous woman, Dakota, who has come to LA looking for her missing sister. This prolongs Eddie’s stay in the city, as he has fallen for her and vows to help her find her sister. Eddie has a dreadful secret he is keeping from her, because if she finds out it will destroy their budding romance.
Dakota has been taken hostage, and Eddie is forced to rejoin his past partners in crime for his first bank robbery. He is in danger not only from his gang members but from outside forces bent on revenge. He is hoping that his participation in the bank robbery will set Dakota free. Bullets fly, there are bloody knife battles, frightening car chases and bodies pile up. It is no surprise that the bank robbery doesn’t go as planned, resulting in more injuries and deaths. There is no trust between the partners in the bank robbery who now have bags of stolen money. The police are hot in pursuit.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this frantic book of non-stop action in the criminal world of LA. In return for my honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The story is set in contemporary Los Angeles and begins with a flawed debt collection for a brutal gangster by several of his thugs. Things begin to go seriously wrong for Eddie on this botched mission. He finds himself on the run from law officers, hitmen, members of his own gang, and a deadly Bible quoting Texan with vengeance in mind. He falls for a beautiful Indigenous woman, Dakota, who has come to LA looking for her missing sister. This prolongs Eddie’s stay in the city, as he has fallen for her and vows to help her find her sister. Eddie has a dreadful secret he is keeping from her, because if she finds out it will destroy their budding romance.
Dakota has been taken hostage, and Eddie is forced to rejoin his past partners in crime for his first bank robbery. He is in danger not only from his gang members but from outside forces bent on revenge. He is hoping that his participation in the bank robbery will set Dakota free. Bullets fly, there are bloody knife battles, frightening car chases and bodies pile up. It is no surprise that the bank robbery doesn’t go as planned, resulting in more injuries and deaths. There is no trust between the partners in the bank robbery who now have bags of stolen money. The police are hot in pursuit.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this frantic book of non-stop action in the criminal world of LA. In return for my honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
April 26, 2019
My tastes in books usually lean toward literary fiction, but every so often I like to dive into something fun that doesn’t overtax my brain cells. Philip Elliott’s "Nobody Move" is just what the doctor ordered. Vivid, engaging and hugely entertaining, this book is a sheer joyride that offers a hilarious take on L.A.’s crime scene and sleazy subculture.
Elliott is a skilled craftsman and killer story teller who lets his over-the-top characters speak for themselves. "Nobody Move" is a fast-paced satire, teaming with razor-sharp dialog and off-the-map narration. Every so often I found myself laughing out loud. Like seriously! In one scene, homicide detective, Alison Lockley, is on the job, in a strip joint, attempting to question an unwilling dancer about the murder of a former employee. Elliott writes: “I’m not your server, honey,” the dancer said. “And I’m not here for tits, “Alison said, flashing her badge.
A first-rate crime thriller, "Nobody Move" is a delectable read that pays homage to noir and neo-noir cinema. It’s written with wit, intelligence and passion.
Look out, Quentin. There’s a new dog in town. And his initials are: Phil Elliott. Oops -I slipped! :)
Elliott is a skilled craftsman and killer story teller who lets his over-the-top characters speak for themselves. "Nobody Move" is a fast-paced satire, teaming with razor-sharp dialog and off-the-map narration. Every so often I found myself laughing out loud. Like seriously! In one scene, homicide detective, Alison Lockley, is on the job, in a strip joint, attempting to question an unwilling dancer about the murder of a former employee. Elliott writes: “I’m not your server, honey,” the dancer said. “And I’m not here for tits, “Alison said, flashing her badge.
A first-rate crime thriller, "Nobody Move" is a delectable read that pays homage to noir and neo-noir cinema. It’s written with wit, intelligence and passion.
Look out, Quentin. There’s a new dog in town. And his initials are: Phil Elliott. Oops -I slipped! :)
July 30, 2020
Nobody Move by Philip Elliot is a thrilling ride that keep you entertained.
Eddie is in quite a spot. After a little rough run in, he's doing his best to stay alive and avoid people in his life. Debt collections can be so troublesome, can't they? When he meets a beautiful woman, he's suddenly entwined in scandals and adventures.
This is a crime thriller like nobody's business (haha, puns). It's fast moving, fun to read and packed tight with excitement and thrills. It has all the stereotypical movie thriller stereotypes: getaway drivers, drama, car chases and more. It's an exciting read if you love a good thriller. Believe me, you won't want to put this one down.
Some of the writing and its comments didn't sit well with me, but that's a personal stance. It doesn't really affect the enjoyment of this book for most readers.
Three out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange of an honest review.
Eddie is in quite a spot. After a little rough run in, he's doing his best to stay alive and avoid people in his life. Debt collections can be so troublesome, can't they? When he meets a beautiful woman, he's suddenly entwined in scandals and adventures.
This is a crime thriller like nobody's business (haha, puns). It's fast moving, fun to read and packed tight with excitement and thrills. It has all the stereotypical movie thriller stereotypes: getaway drivers, drama, car chases and more. It's an exciting read if you love a good thriller. Believe me, you won't want to put this one down.
Some of the writing and its comments didn't sit well with me, but that's a personal stance. It doesn't really affect the enjoyment of this book for most readers.
Three out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange of an honest review.
August 9, 2021
This was very different from my usual books, but it reminded me of Pulp Fiction, which was also very different from the movies I had seen up to that point (I have since watched other Quentin Tarrantino movies, the Kill Bill duology probably being my favorite). This is one of those books where most of the main characters are pretty much scumbags. Except some of them actually have some redeeming characteristics and may have ended up in very different circumstances if they had grown up differently. Or maybe not. Who knows. Either way, this story took you for a non-stop ride with bullets and knives flying everywhere. The body count is definitely high, so if that's not your thing, you might want to give this a pass. I initially felt sorry for Eddie as he was a man completely out of his depth, but once he made his first mistake at the beginning, he was basically put on a roller coaster where he could only react, but not control. This ended up being a solid action book with an ending I found to be quite satisfying. This book was clearly inspired by movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, as well as heavy metal music (I loved the chase scenes with Sawyer at the wheel). Overall, I very much enjoyed it and will be reading the second book, Porno Valley next. I would not recommend this for teens, but young adults or adults who enjoy this kind of story would likely enjoy this one.
September 30, 2019
A rollicking rampage of wise guys, sassy strippers, hard-boiled detectives and cold-blooded killers, Nobody Move easily adds up to near-perfect pulp fiction.
Eddie’s story is a freight-train of good intentions which get shunted onto the fast track to hell. He’s not an altogether bad bloke (for a mob enforcer who collects debts with menaces and spends all his spare time in strip joints), but his lazy complicity has led him a long way into iniquity. You don’t end up murdering a couple of swells entirely by accident.
Eddie’s chaotic bank-robbing colleagues are disloyal liars. Sadistic crime boss Saul is brutally bad to the bone. Diego the hitman comes with zero conscience and no compunction about killing absolutely, positively every sucker in the room.
Only Dakota – a young woman seeking the truth about her missing friend – and LAPD detective Alison Lockley are unambiguously on the side of the angels. And both of these women aren’t above bending the rules to suit their righteous purposes.
Author Philip Elliott throws absolutely everything into the mix and saturates his snappy dialogue in so many musical and cinematic references that the pages almost shake from the soundtrack pounding. At times Nobody Move reads just like a screenplay and there’s no escaping the comparisons to Tarantino or the Coen brothers.
I could’ve done without the long lecture on the plight of Native American young women or the strident outbursts about calculated chauvinism. These long-winded detours sat uncomfortably alongside the pell-mell pace of the galloping narrative.
Combining heartfelt moral commentary with black humour, a rising body count and frantic action is a tricky balancing act: let’s hope Elliott has plenty of opportunity in future to perfect that skill.
A flickering neon nugget of first class neo-noir.
9/10
There's more about this book - and many more crime-thrillers - over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
Eddie’s story is a freight-train of good intentions which get shunted onto the fast track to hell. He’s not an altogether bad bloke (for a mob enforcer who collects debts with menaces and spends all his spare time in strip joints), but his lazy complicity has led him a long way into iniquity. You don’t end up murdering a couple of swells entirely by accident.
Eddie’s chaotic bank-robbing colleagues are disloyal liars. Sadistic crime boss Saul is brutally bad to the bone. Diego the hitman comes with zero conscience and no compunction about killing absolutely, positively every sucker in the room.
Only Dakota – a young woman seeking the truth about her missing friend – and LAPD detective Alison Lockley are unambiguously on the side of the angels. And both of these women aren’t above bending the rules to suit their righteous purposes.
Author Philip Elliott throws absolutely everything into the mix and saturates his snappy dialogue in so many musical and cinematic references that the pages almost shake from the soundtrack pounding. At times Nobody Move reads just like a screenplay and there’s no escaping the comparisons to Tarantino or the Coen brothers.
I could’ve done without the long lecture on the plight of Native American young women or the strident outbursts about calculated chauvinism. These long-winded detours sat uncomfortably alongside the pell-mell pace of the galloping narrative.
Combining heartfelt moral commentary with black humour, a rising body count and frantic action is a tricky balancing act: let’s hope Elliott has plenty of opportunity in future to perfect that skill.
A flickering neon nugget of first class neo-noir.
9/10
There's more about this book - and many more crime-thrillers - over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
July 29, 2019
From the very first page, the dialogue pulled me right into the story and I could picture the scene as being something out of a 90s thriller movie. It's fun, it's fast-moving, and I loved it. Elliott does a fantastic job of making you want to turn the pages even though the characters are not the nicest of people. The book opens with Eddie and Floyd trying to recoup money for their boss to dire consequences, a murder, and Eddie on the run.
This book is ideal for those who love a mystery, nasty killers, and fast-paced action. There is some language that many readers might not like in particular the "N" word. It is a gangster style story and the first in the Angel City series.
The story itself is dialogue-heavy, but it's done really well and I love dialogue so it worked for me.
All the characters are great and they're all involved in some way or another. The characters are well written and you get a good sense of each and every one of them. There are plenty of twists and turns too. As I said, if you're a fan of crime particular crime like those of Tarantino's movies, then this is a must-read.
I've read Elliott's writing before so I wasn't surprised by how flawless it is.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I'd be curious to see what happens in the next books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
This book is ideal for those who love a mystery, nasty killers, and fast-paced action. There is some language that many readers might not like in particular the "N" word. It is a gangster style story and the first in the Angel City series.
The story itself is dialogue-heavy, but it's done really well and I love dialogue so it worked for me.
All the characters are great and they're all involved in some way or another. The characters are well written and you get a good sense of each and every one of them. There are plenty of twists and turns too. As I said, if you're a fan of crime particular crime like those of Tarantino's movies, then this is a must-read.
I've read Elliott's writing before so I wasn't surprised by how flawless it is.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I'd be curious to see what happens in the next books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
September 11, 2019
This "L.A. Crime" novel sort of turns the expectations of Los Angeles Noir on their heads, with a Feckless Hero who is actually too good at heart to save himself from a misguided life. Eddie Vegas reminds me of Hollywood's "heart of gold" "ladies of the night" of 1930's and 1940's films. So too does his "love interest," Dakota, a Native American searching for her long-lost sibling. A different Eddie would be more cunning, more fortunate, or a better decision maker; but he wouldn't be Eddie.
Prepare for harsh language, gratuitous violence, some nasty villains, some skewed but hilarious "bad guys," and one very determined and very clever female police detective.
NOBODY MOVE is a debut novel and a promising takeoff.
Prepare for harsh language, gratuitous violence, some nasty villains, some skewed but hilarious "bad guys," and one very determined and very clever female police detective.
NOBODY MOVE is a debut novel and a promising takeoff.
September 19, 2019
Nothing for me to add to the other reviews here, except to say this is one of the best books I've read this year.
June 7, 2019
Raw, Relentless, Ruthless Crime Thriller
Eddie has been caught in the undertow of a very bad wave of men and circumstances and their thug mentality is rubbing off on him, but underneath he is not made of the same conscienceless stuff they are, and this is illustrated well by the author, making him a somewhat reluctant protagonist. The tension, anxiety and dread he feels are palpable; most readers can feel comfortable getting behind him. These are wise attributes for the main character, as criminal life is not the norm for the majority and we can easily slip into Eddie’s shoes as the dark underbelly of the city and its violence unfolds before him. And while somewhat of a newbie compared to his hardened cohorts, he is brought up to speed and carried along in a wave of violence and crime that would do Tarantino proud.
His relationship with Dakota is given sufficient attention for it to matter to us, but the ringleaders of murder, mayhem, getaways, and cover-ups—Saul, Floyd, and Sawyer among them—do little to win our hearts (as it should be, considering their actions) and mainly serve to propel the story forward.
Basically, this novel reads like a recap of a crime-based screenplay, action interspersed with terse dialogue, but beyond that, what makes it a true novel is the rich use of similes, adding necessary depth and flavor. For example, in a different piece of literature, the moon might be described like a distant beacon, but keeping in line with the subject matter of the book, Elliott employs similes for the moon like a glimmering scythe or blade. Other winning examples include "that pain again, like a shard of metal lodged between her ribs," "the rain had returned, pummeling the roof like a thousand tiny fists, "the crowd of about twenty people stood frozen on the shiny floor like a photograph," "the sun hit them like a searchlight, hot and dazzling," "Rufus lunged upwards like a Great White, the dagger coming up with him," "Eddie felt his breath seep out of him like air from a blown tire," "a dozen neon fish swimming in circles… like simpletons," and "Eddie’s heart sank deep down inside him like an anchor to the lightless ocean floor."
Some may find the surfeit of racial slurs, foul language, and graphic depictions unacceptable, but I am somewhat immune to being shocked or offended, like most of the audience this type of novel is geared toward. That the writer understands and knows Los Angeles is a given; living here myself, I truly enjoy novels set in my backyard.
Deaths occur right off the bat in the first chapter, drawing us aboard this runaway train of a novel immediately. The biggest surprise/reveal was in discovering the identity of the woman killed in the early pages of the novel; it complicates things for Eddie in a way that works. And my favorite part of the novel was the robbery and subsequent getaway/fall-out scenes. Movie lovers like myself will enjoy the numerous references to films and actors. There is no simpler way to conjure up what a character might look like than comparing him to an actor (in one case, Val Kilmer). If you love L.A. crime novels that don’t hold back, this one’s for you. Kudos to Elliott on a job well done.
Eddie has been caught in the undertow of a very bad wave of men and circumstances and their thug mentality is rubbing off on him, but underneath he is not made of the same conscienceless stuff they are, and this is illustrated well by the author, making him a somewhat reluctant protagonist. The tension, anxiety and dread he feels are palpable; most readers can feel comfortable getting behind him. These are wise attributes for the main character, as criminal life is not the norm for the majority and we can easily slip into Eddie’s shoes as the dark underbelly of the city and its violence unfolds before him. And while somewhat of a newbie compared to his hardened cohorts, he is brought up to speed and carried along in a wave of violence and crime that would do Tarantino proud.
His relationship with Dakota is given sufficient attention for it to matter to us, but the ringleaders of murder, mayhem, getaways, and cover-ups—Saul, Floyd, and Sawyer among them—do little to win our hearts (as it should be, considering their actions) and mainly serve to propel the story forward.
Basically, this novel reads like a recap of a crime-based screenplay, action interspersed with terse dialogue, but beyond that, what makes it a true novel is the rich use of similes, adding necessary depth and flavor. For example, in a different piece of literature, the moon might be described like a distant beacon, but keeping in line with the subject matter of the book, Elliott employs similes for the moon like a glimmering scythe or blade. Other winning examples include "that pain again, like a shard of metal lodged between her ribs," "the rain had returned, pummeling the roof like a thousand tiny fists, "the crowd of about twenty people stood frozen on the shiny floor like a photograph," "the sun hit them like a searchlight, hot and dazzling," "Rufus lunged upwards like a Great White, the dagger coming up with him," "Eddie felt his breath seep out of him like air from a blown tire," "a dozen neon fish swimming in circles… like simpletons," and "Eddie’s heart sank deep down inside him like an anchor to the lightless ocean floor."
Some may find the surfeit of racial slurs, foul language, and graphic depictions unacceptable, but I am somewhat immune to being shocked or offended, like most of the audience this type of novel is geared toward. That the writer understands and knows Los Angeles is a given; living here myself, I truly enjoy novels set in my backyard.
Deaths occur right off the bat in the first chapter, drawing us aboard this runaway train of a novel immediately. The biggest surprise/reveal was in discovering the identity of the woman killed in the early pages of the novel; it complicates things for Eddie in a way that works. And my favorite part of the novel was the robbery and subsequent getaway/fall-out scenes. Movie lovers like myself will enjoy the numerous references to films and actors. There is no simpler way to conjure up what a character might look like than comparing him to an actor (in one case, Val Kilmer). If you love L.A. crime novels that don’t hold back, this one’s for you. Kudos to Elliott on a job well done.
June 15, 2019
Very early on we meet Eddie and Floyd. They have been sent on a job to ‘scare’ one of Saul’s (the big boss man) clients into getting the money he owes him as he is a few days late. But, Eddie, who’s been feeling out of sorts all day thinks that something doesn’t feel quite right and isn’t particularly looking forward to this job, and he was right not to.
Eddie Vegas messed up BIG time, now he’s on the run.
After the accident, Eddie, Floyd and we meet Sawyer, the driver, decide to bury the evidence far out of the way, the problem is they are spotted and the very next day their secret is let out of the bag…
All Eddies problems just keep getting bigger.
Not only does Saul want to ‘speak ‘ to Eddie, but the brother of the man he’s killed starts to come after him, along with a woman who he falls in love with seemingly uninvolved in all of this, is looking for her younger sister, and won’t leave until she is found, and everything just starts to spiral out of control…
A fast-paced story with characters left right, and center all involved in some capacity or another.
From the first chapter you are thrown into the world of L.A, the seediness, glamour, the black and white, behind the scenes, a movie like presence, there is all sorts going down. Each character that has been created gives you an impression of who they are and what path they led or going down. To which there is no end to the type of characters there are; lost, gay, loved, tortured, plain, trans, eccentric, cowboy, brutish, slimy...it just goes on…the best part, it works!
I don’t think I have come across a novel with so many twists and turns and omg moments. Elliott has written a fast-paced, action packed crime thriller, it’s a clean well written novel, it was an awesome read and it just kept surprising me at each turn, Philip Elliott is a magnificent writer.
Eddie Vegas messed up BIG time, now he’s on the run.
After the accident, Eddie, Floyd and we meet Sawyer, the driver, decide to bury the evidence far out of the way, the problem is they are spotted and the very next day their secret is let out of the bag…
All Eddies problems just keep getting bigger.
Not only does Saul want to ‘speak ‘ to Eddie, but the brother of the man he’s killed starts to come after him, along with a woman who he falls in love with seemingly uninvolved in all of this, is looking for her younger sister, and won’t leave until she is found, and everything just starts to spiral out of control…
A fast-paced story with characters left right, and center all involved in some capacity or another.
From the first chapter you are thrown into the world of L.A, the seediness, glamour, the black and white, behind the scenes, a movie like presence, there is all sorts going down. Each character that has been created gives you an impression of who they are and what path they led or going down. To which there is no end to the type of characters there are; lost, gay, loved, tortured, plain, trans, eccentric, cowboy, brutish, slimy...it just goes on…the best part, it works!
I don’t think I have come across a novel with so many twists and turns and omg moments. Elliott has written a fast-paced, action packed crime thriller, it’s a clean well written novel, it was an awesome read and it just kept surprising me at each turn, Philip Elliott is a magnificent writer.
June 11, 2019
This is not the type of book I would normally read, but I found myself getting sucked in and just could not put it down. It’s a fantastic homage to some of the great modern filmmakers, definitely gleaning inspiration from Tarantino and the Coen brothers (with a few meta jokes to hammer it home).
The characters were believable, the plot had just enough going on without being confusing, and the overall pacing was spot-on. Highly recommend this gem!
The characters were believable, the plot had just enough going on without being confusing, and the overall pacing was spot-on. Highly recommend this gem!
June 12, 2019
Just finished this wonderful book as a complimentary online copy from the author because of my association with Voracious Readers Only. Thank you to both parties. I thoroughly enjoyed the book ... great characters . I love seeing string female heros in the books I’ve been reading lately ... the female detective and Dakota . Nice to see something good come from something bad as well . Good read!
June 14, 2019
Talk about violence, action and bad-ass characters! This book is filled with that and more. A captivating read that swept me along from page one. One mistake that leads to another and then to another and it never ends. Well-written and well-plotted, I think this is another author that I’ll be on the lookout for. (A side note, the issue of violence against Indian women is a heart-breaker.)
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
September 10, 2019
I received this complimentary copy of Nobody Move from the author, via voraciousreadersonly.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! I am very hard to please, because sometimes, even though I enjoy a book, I often think the ending lets it down. Nobody Move was fast paced , exciting and humorous, also it had a gratifying ending, one that was real and didn’t con the reader. I will be on the lookout for more of the same ....... FABULOUS
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! I am very hard to please, because sometimes, even though I enjoy a book, I often think the ending lets it down. Nobody Move was fast paced , exciting and humorous, also it had a gratifying ending, one that was real and didn’t con the reader. I will be on the lookout for more of the same ....... FABULOUS
June 4, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book from voracious readers in return for a frank review. Usually I avoid books involving gangster types because they bore me, however; this book was able to hold my interest to the end. Fast paced, well written and a thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of action along the way.
October 9, 2019
I am not sure where I heard of this book but I am glad I did. This was read in one sitting and the only thing I didnt like was that it had to end. non-stop action from the start, while still helping the reader to understand the characters. An over the top action movie in a book, and for me, the book is always better.
May 15, 2019
completely immersed into the characters being fluidly introduced. immensely thrilled to read page after page of this engrossing tale.
May 28, 2019
A smart, tough, gritty, crime noir filled with a web of dangerous, fascinating, and memorable characters.
September 11, 2019
Nobody Moves is reminiscent of the 90s - early 2000s Tarantino movies, so if you liked those, this should be right up your alley. There's twisted, crazy action tempered with dramatic conversations, and the settings are wonderfully drawn. There is a lot going on, and it's a lot to keep up with. It made me think of a game of chess as the characters make their moves toward and away from each other. Then we have the relationships between the characters, some known and some not, and how they come together in some unlikely circumstances. This one doesn't give us many truly good guys, most of the players in this twisted game are varying degrees of bad, depending on what they'll do and how far they're willing to go. I realize I'm being incredibly vague, but it's near to impossible to give details about this first Angel City book without giving anything away, and this is one that needs be read spoiler-free. Suffice it say that Nobody Moves is full of murder and mayhem, and it moves at break-neck speed from start to finish.
September 13, 2019
4.5 This is a sardonic black comedy filled with outrageous characters and snappy, quick dialogue. There’s shootings, car chases, even a bank heist! The Tarantino influence is clear, right down to the epigraph. I also enjoyed the musical references peppered in throughout. While I’m aware that Eddie and many of the characters are criminals, I couldn’t help but root for them. It's messed up yet it makes perfect sense!
What I like about the book is that it‘s not afraid to take a moral stand and combat stereotypes by bringing up race, homosexuality and the mistreatment of Native Americans. The ending is perfect and though this book is marked as the first in a series I can’t imagine where it’ll go next. Bonus material - the author made a soundtrack playlist on Spotify which gives you an idea of what the book is like. Very cool!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
book blog | twitter | instagram
What I like about the book is that it‘s not afraid to take a moral stand and combat stereotypes by bringing up race, homosexuality and the mistreatment of Native Americans. The ending is perfect and though this book is marked as the first in a series I can’t imagine where it’ll go next. Bonus material - the author made a soundtrack playlist on Spotify which gives you an idea of what the book is like. Very cool!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
book blog | twitter | instagram
September 12, 2019
Alison, the single-mom detective who takes grief from no one, thinks to herself, "The problem with being on call in this city (LA): you always get f-----g called." And you know it's true.
If you're a fan of neo-noir fiction and films, you're gonna dig 'Nobody Move.' This vivid, high-speed novel does not let up. By turns horrifying and hilarious, the twists and turns had me from beginning to end. Elliott references beloved films in overt and subtle ways. From a character wearing a 'Pulp Fiction' T-shirt to the line, "But first, it was time to call Saul." The story is classic crime and yet fresh and inventive, with a broad spectrum of well-rounded characters. Each feels familiar yet unique to this story.
Elliott's writing is cinematic, but 'Nobody Move' is more in-depth than a two-hour movie. Think really gritty Netflix series. I'd love to see this on a screen at some point and am very much looking forward to the next Angel City installment.
If you're a fan of neo-noir fiction and films, you're gonna dig 'Nobody Move.' This vivid, high-speed novel does not let up. By turns horrifying and hilarious, the twists and turns had me from beginning to end. Elliott references beloved films in overt and subtle ways. From a character wearing a 'Pulp Fiction' T-shirt to the line, "But first, it was time to call Saul." The story is classic crime and yet fresh and inventive, with a broad spectrum of well-rounded characters. Each feels familiar yet unique to this story.
Elliott's writing is cinematic, but 'Nobody Move' is more in-depth than a two-hour movie. Think really gritty Netflix series. I'd love to see this on a screen at some point and am very much looking forward to the next Angel City installment.
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